PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C A Rawlings

Publications and source records attributed to C A Rawlings.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Plasma-glucose concentrations in dogs and cats before and after surgery: comparison of healthy animals and animals with sepsis.

Various surgical procedures were performed in healthy dogs and cats and in dogs and cats with sepsis. Plasma-glucose concentrations after surgery were usually increased over presurgical values. After surgery, cats had significantly higher plasma-glucose concentrations (P less than 0.05) than did dogs. Postsurgical concentrations for healthy dogs were between 100 to 200 mg/dl, whereas the concentrations for dogs with sepsis ranged from 66 to 356 mg/dl. Of 8 dogs with sepsis that developed postsurgical plasma-glucose concentrations of greater than 150 mg/dl, 4 (50%) died, whereas of 7 dogs with sepsis that developed postsurgical concentrations of less than 150 mg/dl, only 1 (14%) died; however, the difference between these 2 mortality percentages was not significant (P = 0.08).

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Effect of immunosuppressive drug therapy on blood urea nitrogen concentration in dogs with azotemia.

Azotemic dogs receiving prednisone and azathioprine to enhance renal allograft survival had higher blood urea nitrogen (BUN):serum creatinine (SC) ratios, when compared with nontreated dogs with induced azotemia. The difference in ratios probably was attributable to increased BUN content secondary to the catabolic effects of the drugs used. However, dogs with naturally occurring renal failure had BUN:SC ratios that were similar to those for dogs receiving the catabolic drugs. It was concluded that even though catabolic drugs may influence BUN:SC ratios, the multiplicity of other factors affecting BUN and SC may interact to cause a wide range of BUN:SC ratios under conditions of naturally occurring primary renal failure in the dog.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

An aspirin-prednisolone combination to modify postadulticide lung disease in heartworm-infected dogs.

A combination of aspirin and prednisolone was used in an attempt to modify the pulmonary disease produced by thiacetarsamide treatment of heartworm-infected dogs. Results of 6 heartworm-infected dogs treated with prednisolone (1 mg/kg, daily for 4 weeks) and aspirin (10 mg/kg, daily for 4 weeks) after thiacetarsamide treatment were compared with previously published results of 3 groups of dogs (6 dogs/group). One of these 3 groups was a nontreated control group, another was treated with prednisolone, and the 3rd was treated with aspirin. All dogs, each with 9 adult heartworms transplanted, were treated with a 2-day, twice-a-day treatment of thiacetarsamide (1 mg/kg) 4 weeks after the transplant. Thoracic radiographs were taken before and at 1, 2, and 3 weeks after thiacetarsamide treatment to evaluate lung disease. Pulmonary arteriography was performed before and 3.5 weeks after thiacetarsamide treatment to evaluate pulmonary blood flow. After treatment, radiographs of the aspirin-prednisolone group were similar to radiographs of the prednisolone group, both with a marked attenuation of the parenchymal disease, as compared with the non-treated group. Addition of aspirin to prednisolone prevented the blood flow obstruction and intraluminal filling defects that were present in the groups not receiving aspirin. Sixteen of 54 transplanted heartworms survived thiacetarsamide treatment in both prednisolone-treated groups, in contrast to complete elimination of heartworms in the nontreated group. Aspirin may be considered for treatment of any heartworm-infected dog that does not have hemotypsis, but postthiacetarsamide use of prednisolone should be restricted to the dog that develops severe lung disease after the heartworms have been killed.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Histologic examination of selected areas of canine pulmonary arteries.

Selected areas of pulmonary arteries from 18 healthy mixed-breed dogs were examined using histologic staining techniques. Smooth muscle cell, collagen, and elastin content of the tunica intima and tunica media were assessed. Fifteen dogs had abnormalities of tunica intima or tunica media in at least one arterial section examined. Of all arterial sections examined, 40% had histologic changes of the tunica intima or tunica media, and 42% of these vascular lesions were in the main pulmonary artery. The most commonly occurring pathologic change was loss of smooth muscle cells and elastin of the tunica media and replacement by collagen. This lesion is similar to cystic medionecrosis of the aorta. Seemingly, a high frequency of spontaneous vascular lesions exist in pulmonary arteries of young dogs.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Massive hematuria of nontraumatic renal origin in dogs.

Massive hematuria of renal origin was diagnosed in 4 dogs. In all dogs, blood and blood clots were clearly visible in the urine. Serum urea nitrogen and urine concentrating ability were normal. All dogs were anemic, and results of coagulation and platelet function tests were within normal limits. Excretory urography indicated hydroureter and hydronephrosis in all dogs, with filling defects in the bladder attributable to large blood clots in 2 dogs. Cystotomy and catheterization of the ureters enabled identification of one kidney as the source of bleeding in 3 dogs. Unilateral nephrectomy and ureterectomy resolved their hematuria. The results of histologic examination were normal in 2 dogs. The 3rd dog had evidence of pyelitis. Cystoscopy of the 4th dog did not reveal hematuria from either ureter. The dog was not operated on and it continued to have intermittent hematuria.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Aspirin and prednisolone modification of radiographic changes caused by adulticide treatment in dogs with heartworm infection.

The effects of aspirin and prednisolone in modifying the radiographic changes following adulticide treatment were studied in 3 groups of 6 dogs each. The dogs were radiographed and then 9 Dirofilaria immitis adults were surgically transplanted in each dog. All dogs were treated with thiacetarsamide 4 weeks later. One group received no additional treatment, the 2nd group received aspirin (10 mg/kg, daily for 4 weeks), and the 3rd group received prednisolone (1 mg/kg, daily for 4 weeks). Radiographs were taken at 1, 2, and 3 weeks after adulticide treatment, and the dogs were euthanatized at 4 weeks. The most consistent radiographic sign of pulmonary disease was a perivascular alveolar pattern in the caudal and accessory lung lobes. The right caudal lobe was the one most frequently affected. These parenchymal lesions were more frequent and more severe in the dogs given only adulticide treatment than in those given aspirin after adulticide treatment; the latter group in turn was more severely affected than the dogs given prednisolone after adulticide treatment. The radiographic evidence of pulmonary disease was resolving in most dogs at 3 weeks. The alveolar pattern on radiographs was distributed similarly to that observed at necropsy, using parenchymal uptake of Evan's blue as an indication of increased vascular permeability. Dissection of the perfusion-fixed lungs revealed that heartworms in 3 of the 6 dogs given prednisolone appeared to survive adulticide treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Canine septic peritonitis: treatment with flunixin meglumine.

The efficacy of treating acute lethal peritonitis with flunixin meglumine was investigated in dogs. Following intraperitoneal administration of Escherichia coli organisms in a sterile fecal suspension, eight dogs were left untreated and eight dogs were treated with flunixin meglumine (2.2 mg/kg) at 15 min and 12 hr. Another eight dogs were treated with flunixin meglumine (2.2 mg/kg) at 15 minutes and 12 hours, and with gentamicin sulfate (2.2 mg/kg) at 15 min, 6 hr, 12 hr, and 18 hr postsepsis. Untreated dogs lived 5-12 hr and rapidly developed fever, hypoglycemia, metabolic acidosis, hypotension, and cardiac dysfunction. Dogs treated with flunixin meglumine had longer survival times (9-24 hr), lower body temperatures, higher stroke indexes, higher mean arterial pressures, and higher blood pH values than untreated dogs. Six of the eight dogs treated with flunixin meglumine and gentamicin sulfate lived 24 hr. Compared to untreated controls, dogs in this group had slower development of hypoglycemia, lower body temperatures, higher stroke volumes, higher mean arterial pressures, and only temporary development of metabolic acidosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Cardiopulmonary effects of thiopental/lidocaine combination during anesthetic induction in the dog.

The cardiopulmonary effects and tendencies to produce ventricular arrhythmias were evaluated in 13 dogs given a surgical plane of anesthesia by thiopental (IV) or a combination of thiopental and lidocaine (IV). Thiopental (22 mg/kg of body weight) was compared with a combination of thiopental (11 mg/kg) and lidocaine (8.8 mg/kg). Preanesthetic agents were not given. Both methods for IV anesthesia provided a smooth induction suitable for easy intubation. The thiopental/lidocaine combination had a shorter duration, produced no arrhythmias, and resulted in less cardiopulmonary depression than did thiopental alone. Bigeminy developed after intubation during 19 of 20 thiopental inductions as compared with that in 0 of 22 thiopental/lidocaine inductions. The bigeminies were preceded by systemic hypertension and tachycardia which developed as the trachea was being intubated. The increase in aortic pressure and heart rate was minimal after intubation during the thiopental/lidocaine inductions. Five minutes after administration of thiopental alone, increases in heart rate, aortic pressure, total peripheral vascular resistance, and left ventricular systolic and end-diastolic pressures were observed. When these increases in rate, preload, and afterload were considered in relation to a stabile maximum positive first derivative of left ventricular pressure, left ventricular contractility was considered to be decreased. Mild respiratory acidosis and hypoxemia were present at 5 and 10 minutes after thiopental induction. Because the combination of thiopental/lidocaine had less cardiopulmonary depressive effects and protected against arrhythmias, it would appear to be a good method for anesthetic induction of the patient with cardiopulmonary disease. In the patient with normal cardiopulmonary function, thiopental produces only a moderate and reversible depression.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1983

Effect of acetylsalicylic acid on vascular damage and myointimal proliferation in canine pulmonary arteries subjected to chronic injury by Dirofilaria immitis.

The effect of aspirin (ASA) on pulmonary artery response to chronic injury induced by Dirofilaria immitis was assessed in the dog. Eight dogs were studied for 30 days after adult heartworms were transplanted into the pulmonary arteries. Four dogs were treated with ASA (325 mg/day given orally) starting 3 days before the transplantation was done. Evan's blue dye was used to locate areas of vascular damage. Vascular morphology was assessed by scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. According to results of the morphologic studies, nontreated dogs had extensive endothelial damage and significant adhesion of leukocytes and blood platelets. Blood vessels of ASA-treated dogs had less endothelial damage. Platelet adhesion on areas of vascular damage was less than that observed in nontreated dogs. Myointimal proliferative lesions were observed in both nontreated and ASA-treated dogs. However, the lesions in nontreated dogs were larger (means 68 +/- 7 mm2) and more complex than those in ASA-treated dogs (means 20 +/- 1 mm2). The results indicated that aspirin may protect against development of myointimal proliferation resulting from chronic vascular injury. The mechanism of the ASA protection may result from a combination of antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as a direct protective effect on vascular endothelium.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Diagnostic peritoneal lavage before and after abdominal surgery in dogs.

Complete blood cell counts and peritoneal lavage (PL) were done 2 days before and 2 days after abdominal surgery. Abdominal surgery consisted of intestinal resection/anastomosis and cystotomy in 18 dogs in group 1 and gastrotomy, pyloromyotomy, and repair of diaphragmatic laceration in 20 dogs in group 2. Insertion of the dialysis catheter for PL preoperatively in a right paramedian location resulted in more PL samples contaminated with blood than when the catheter was inserted on the abdominal midline. The number of nucleated cells found in PL fluid when the catheter was inserted in a right paramedian location was not significantly different (P less than 0.05) from that observed in PL fluid collected after insertion of the catheter through the abdominal midline. The predominant cell type in preoperative PL fluid was the segmented neutrophil. In groups 1 and 2, WBC counts and nucleated cell counts in PL fluid were significantly increased (P less than 0.05) postoperatively. Segmented neutrophils and macrophages were most frequently present in postoperative PL fluid. Degenerative neutrophils in postoperative PL fluid were associated with the appearance of immature neutrophils in the blood and increased rectal temperature. Dogs with these findings appeared to have more peritoneal inflammation at necropsy than did others in their groups. Concentrations of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, amylase, and creatinine in preoperative PL fluid were extremely low. Except for creatinine in group 2, all of these were significantly increased (P less than 0.05) postoperatively. The complication rate associated with the performance of PL on dogs postoperatively was not greater than that which was observed preoperatively.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1983

Treatment of canine dirofilariasis: pulmonary thromboembolism caused by thiacetarsamide--microscopic changes.

Light and scanning electron microscopies were used to study the pulmonary embolism occurring in Dirofilaria immitis-infected dogs after treatment with thiacetarsamide. Lesions in control dogs (nontreated) which had been infected for 4 weeks with 9 Dirofilaria immitis adults were compared with lesions occurring in infected dogs at 2 weeks and at 4 weeks after they were treated with the adulticide. Extensive thromboembolism occurred in the caudal lobar pulmonary arteries of dogs at posttreatment weeks 2 and 4. Complicated villous proliferations were present at posttreatment week 2. The characteristic myointimal proliferation of dirofilariasis showed resolution in the large pulmonary arteries of the dogs at week 4. However, the caudal lobar pulmonary arterial and lung lesions were more severe in the later group. The pathophysiology of adulticide-induced thromboembolism and associated lung parenchymal changes were discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Pulmonary thromboembolism during therapy of dirofilariasis with thiacetarsamide: modification with aspirin or prednisolone.

The effects that 4 weeks of treatment of dirofilaria-infected dogs with either aspirin or prednisolone had on the pulmonary thromboembolism which occurs after they are given thiacetarsamide were determined, using light and electron microscopies. Pulmonary lesions in control dogs at 4 weeks after thiacetarsamide was given were compared with lesions in dogs which were treated with either aspirin (22 mg/kg daily) or prednisolone (1 mg/kg daily) during the 4-week period after adulticide was given. Pulmonary vascular and perivascular lesions were most severe in the prednisolone-treated dogs and least severe in the aspirin-treated dogs. The aspirin-treated dogs had greater resolution of pulmonary arterial proliferative disease, and prednisolone-treated dogs had the lesser resolution.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Congenital portacaval shunts in two cats: diagnosis and surgical correction.

Congenital portacaval shunts causing signs of hepatic encephalopathy were diagnosed and surgically corrected in 2 cats. A tentative diagnosis of portacaval shunt in each case was based on history, results of physical examination, and a high venous ammonia concentration. A definitive diagnosis was established by mesenteric portography and by direct visualization of the shunt vessel during surgery.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Four types of occult Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs.

Occult heartworm infection, ie, infection with adult Dirofilaria immitis in the absence of circulating microfilariae, was detected in dogs with prepatent infection, unisexual heartworm infection, drug-induced sterility of adult heartworms, and an immune-mediated infection. In the immune-mediate occult infection, female heartworms contained microfilariae that were antigenically similar to circulating microfilariae but were in a privileged site inasmuch as the intrauterine microfilariae were not coated with circulating antimicrofilarial immunoglobulin G. Transplantation of these female worm into heart-worm-negative dogs resulted in microfilaremia.

Animals↗